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If you're ready to be a part of breakthrough research, then we invite you to consider this exciting opportunity and apply today!

The Department of Neurosurgery is committed to bringing the best and brightest minds together to advance care for cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease, among other challenging health issues.

A Project Scientist position in computational neuroscience and biophysics of human cortical processing is open for a joint computational project between the teams of Costas Anastassiou, PhD, and Ueli Rutishauser, PhD. The Anastassiou team employs multi-modal, single-cell investigations in human circuits to understand cortical function and dysfunction as occurring in diseases like epilepsy. The Rutishauser lab investigates the mechanisms of learning, memory, and decision-making with a particular interest in the human brain at the single-neuron level.

In this role, you will be an essential team member in our ongoing effort to understand human brain function spanning across spatiotemporal scales. The core responsibility for this position is to set-up computational simulations and data analysis workflows from slice and in vivo brain physiology in humans. The Project Scientist works independently and in cooperation with the Principal Investigator to make significant and creative contributions to a research or creative project in any academic discipline. The Project Scientist may be an ongoing member of a research team or may be employed for a limited period of time to contribute high-level skills to a specific research or creative program. Project Scientists are not required to carry out independent research or to develop an independent research reputation and do not have teaching responsibilities. Ordinarily, the Project Scientist title will carry out research or creative programs as well as administration of day-to-day lab operations with supervision by a membet of the Professorial Series. 

More specifically, this position will be responsible for the following:

1. Design and conduct biophysical simulations with an existing computational framework allowing simulation of reconstructed, interconnected and biophysically realistic human neurons (e.g. [Reimann, Anastassiou et al, Neuron, 2013; Nandi et al, bioarxiv, 2020].
2. Analyze simulated and experimental data using state-of-the-art statistical analyses to establish structure-function relationships (e.g. [Mosher, Wei et al, Cell Reports, 2020]).
3. Compare computational findings with experimental observables to deduce biophysical principles of high-level functioning [Minxha et al, Science, 2021]. Of particular interest will be how cellular, cell type and whole circuit functioning is manifested in the extracellular field in humans.

Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists in preparation of grant proposals, submissions, publications, and presentations, but is not responsible for generating grant funds.
• May serve as Principal Investigator for certain grants as approved by supervising member of the Professorial Series.
• Participates in publications and presentations as author or co-author.
• Develops, adapts and implements new research techniques and protocols.
• Assists in lab experiments and analyzes, interprets, visualizes, and summarizes complex datasets.
• Leads and trains Staff Research Associates and Research Fellows.
• Assists in day-to-day laboratory activities. 
• Appointees on an academic trajectory will be expected to commit a portion of their time to developing an independent range of research.
• In collaboration with theoreticians and experimental colleagues, designs, implements, and conducts single-neuron and network simulations of human neurons. 
• Contributes to ongoing efforts in computational framework development (simulation and data analysis) as well as to scientific questions relevant to the system under investigation.
• Contributes to adjacent projects related to human pathophysiology and neurotherapies.
• Publishes/presents findings in peer-reviewed journals/scientific conferences.
• Prepares written and oral reports.
• Maintains clear and accurate communication with supervisor, team members and external collaborators.
• Works independently on research projects designed by PI within area of specialization.
• Facilitates all aspects of grant applications led by PI.

 

Education:

• Doctorate (MD, PhD, VMD or DDS) in area directly related to field of research specialization, required.
• PhD degree in computational neuroscience, physics, applied mathematics, bioengineering or related field, highly preferred.

Experience and Skills:

• Strong background in scientific computing; experience in computational neuroscience is preferred, but other strong applicants will be considered (with background in computational physics, applied mathematics, biophysics, and related disciplines).
• Completion of postdoctoral appointment in area of specialization, as applicable.
• Experience with parallel computing is a plus as well as familiarity with high-level programming languages such as Python or Matlab.
• Familiarity with in vitro and in vivo electrophysiological monitoring techniques and analysis.
• Acquires strong technical and theoretical knowledge of research project and objectives during one to five (1-5) year post-doctoral appointment.
• Demonstrated aptitude to perform experimental protocols and procedures, including detailed data collection, analysis, operation, knowledge of safety standards and maintenance of specialized equipment.
• Ability to meet aggressive timelines and deliverables in a collaborative environment.
• Strong publication record.
• Experience in pursuing research projects in collaborative fashion.
• Proven independent thinking and flexibility.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Physical Demands:

Able to perform moderate lifting.  Able to sit, stand and walk for prolonged periods of time.  Able to read papers and online documents.  Able to operate standard office equipment.  Able to exercise physical ability and perspective acuity to satisfactorily perform essential job functions.

Working Title:Project Scientist (Computational Neuroscience/Biophysics research experience) - Anastassiou & Rutishauser Labs - Department of Neurosurgery
Department:Home Dept-Black
Business Entity:Academic / Research
Job Category:,Academic/Research,Academic/Research
Job Specialty:Research Studies/Clinical Trials
Position Type:Full-time
Shift Length:8 hour shift
Shift Type:Day